We'll see it, might be nothing in it, he might just be 24th man

Then again, in alot of our games, the subs don't always line up as selected

McCrea has just tweeted about being on Belfast and he's looking forward to seeing the away dressing rooms. He's either 24th man or perhaps Eric pulled a fast one by naming 2 10's on the bench and McCrea will replace jarvis

Would be a bold move, an obvious sign of intent as well

McCrea has just tweeted about being on Belfast and he's looking forward to seeing the away dressing rooms. He's either 24th man or perhaps Eric pulled a fast one by naming 2 10's on the bench and McCrea will replace jarvis

Hope the guys who get their chance take it.

Looks like far too much tinkering to me.

I don't really care if mcrea is the most obnoxious human on the planet his efforts on the pitch have been excellent and he deserve inclusion.

pretty surprised at this team, I understand a bit of squad rotation and all, but with so many players playing in different positions (Duffy, O'Halloran back to fullback) along with McSharry, O'Donohue and the young Flankers in Grace and Anderson as well as Nikora retaining his 10 jersey, im just not sure of it. Having both O;Connor and Jarvis on the bench will probably mean a chance of putting Jarvis in at fullback so O'Halloran can move to wing, or putting Jarvis straight in at centre. It just doesnt come across as a team which has played together, and I hate to say it but this is probably our most important game of the year, as it could put us in pole position to claim the 3rd HC spot for next year. Heres hoping that we dont look back on this day with regret later on. But once the lads who are called upon fight and give it their all we cant complain

Edit: Also, to give him credit, it shows that Elwood isn't afraid to mix it up

Without a crystal ball we cannot know what goes on in Erics head. But without a crystal ball we also cannot know the injury situation within the squad !!! I think by his replacements that we are struggling, I hope not but you never know !!!!

That must be it with McCrea Rogue, because for the life of me, on the pitch he hasn't really put a foot wrong. We can only speculate on here but there must be more to this than meets the eye. He had problems up north, to what extent I don't know, I just hope they haven't followed him. He's a talented player at both wing and centre and we need him playing

Yeah, that side has the feel of a gamble on Eric's part especially the back row.  He probably figured it's unlikely to get anything out of this fixture so let's try some different combination.  If things work out better than expected maybe they get a losing bonus point  Agree with porterbelly, I would have thought McCrea would have made a good choice for this one, often enough players put in that little extra against the team that let them go.  He hasn't played poorly so I am beginning to think there is something Eric doesn't like about his attitude.  Pure speculation of course.  I'll be interested to see how things pan out with the back row and at centre.

It's a dangerous ploy by Eric to rotate so much and I fear it could backfire. Lots of untried combinations and with Ulster at full strength I just hope we can keep the score respectable. 2 fly halves on the bench is very strange. Surely Mark McCrea deserved a chance at least from the bench.

It would have made sense alright to have just one of NO'C or Jarvis and a wing /centre option as well, someone with and attacking threat...

I don't like the fact that Eric doesn't seem to trust some players already and we're still not that long into the season (or their contracts)...

haha Duuurrrr! I meant Henry... I was thinking Henry Ta'auso!

I would have liked to see Gav at 12 with Griff outside though. Gav is unpredicatable there as he can kick, run and pass, and that would have given Griff a bit more space to play with and a chance to take advantage of the hesitancy in the defensive line. Plus would have been good to see him up against Spence.

It 's a dangerous ploy alright... are Griffen & Ta'auso injured?

Ta'auso is long gone!

Fa'afili and Griffin were named in the squad so I think not. I think Eric wants to try something new, as well as resting the 2 last. However I believe he's seen how we've looked static in midfield the last couple of games, as well as Fa'afili looking totally incompetent defensively. Excited about seeing McSharry, he's a very tidy player. In a way I think it's good to see the axe wielded a bit, players need to up their game and this selection says exactly that. But I just hope it doesn't backfire. I think if we can play well and keep the score respectable that will be a reasonable result for us.

It 's a dangerous ploy alright... are Griffen & Ta'auso injured?

It's a dangerous ploy by Eric to rotate so much and I fear it could backfire. Lots of untried combinations and with Ulster at full strength I just hope we can keep the score respectable. 2 fly halves on the bench is very strange. Surely Mark McCrea deserved a chance at least from the bench.

It is all right, and as competent as Gav Duffy is at Fullback I have always thought that he should be playing closer in. The guy was a schools flyhalf so his hands are good enough and at 6'1 and bones of 15 stone there's nothing missing physically...

Big ask for the back row to gel, talented enough though to do ok...

Very attacking backline set out if we can win enough ball....

Connacht XV to face Ulster (Ravenhill, Belfast, kick-off 17.35 -live on RTÉ 2)
15 Tiernan O'Halloran
14 Fetu'u Vainikolo
13 Gavin Duffy (C)
12 Dave McSharry
11 Brian Tuohy
10 Miah Nikora
09 Paul O'Donohoe
01 Brett Wilkinson
02 Adrian Flavin
03 Rodney Ah You
04 Michael Swift
05 Mike McCarthy
06 TJ Anderson
07 Eoghan Grace
08 George Naoupu

16 Ethienne Reynecke
17 Ronan Loughney
18 Dylan rogers
19 Dave Gannon
20 John Muldoon
21 Frank Murphy
22 Niall O'Connor
23 Matthew Jarvis

Wow...that is quite a changed side!  I'll be very interested to see how things shape up with this starting XV.  C'mon, Connacht!

A very handy Google Map has been created by the lads at www.stoutboys.co.uk (a group of roving Ulster supporters), showing major drinking venues on the way from central Belfast out to Ravers/Ormeau...


Saveable Map Link